Image

External steps and ladders

Discuss all things health and safety.

Moderator: Moderators

Post Reply
User avatar
Blackstone
Grand Shidoshi
Grand Shidoshi
Posts: 1335
Joined: Mon Mar 07, 2011 11:17 am
13
Industry Sector: Refrige / Oil & Gas / Pharma / Aerospace
Occupation: Deputy SHE Manager
Location: Kent
Has thanked: 50 times
Been thanked: 199 times

External steps and ladders

Post by Blackstone »

Hi all,

This is not my area of expertise...

We have many types of fixed external steps and vertical ladders on site.
Some are fire escapes, others are access to roof spaces.
Most are galvanised steel while some are painted steel and some larger steps concrete

Wondering what the requirement is for inspection and testing of these type of external steps. What regulation or standard covers this?

Also just a little side question should internal steel stairs going ground to first floor also be inspected in some way?

Thanks
Glen
'Train people well enough so they can leave, treat them well enough that they don't want to!' - Richard Branson
User avatar
witsd
Grand Shidoshi
Grand Shidoshi
Posts: 1086
Joined: Tue Nov 18, 2014 4:37 pm
9
Occupation: Fire safety officer
Location: Glasgow
Has thanked: 90 times
Been thanked: 264 times

Re: External steps and ladders

Post by witsd »

https://www.healthandsafetytips.co.uk/f ... hp?t=25938

No definite answers then, and I don't think anything has changed.

If all else fails, the FRA should define it, based on what little guidance there is, combined with staff availability, number of people who may use it and weather / moss growth conditions.
We often think that when we have completed our study of one we know all about two, because 'two' is 'one and one.' We forget that we still have to make a study of 'and.'
User avatar
Blackstone
Grand Shidoshi
Grand Shidoshi
Posts: 1335
Joined: Mon Mar 07, 2011 11:17 am
13
Industry Sector: Refrige / Oil & Gas / Pharma / Aerospace
Occupation: Deputy SHE Manager
Location: Kent
Has thanked: 50 times
Been thanked: 199 times

Re: External steps and ladders

Post by Blackstone »

Thanks witsd...about as clear as mud then :lol:

The company said they would inspect and test (i've only seen the report btw) these vertical ladders, spiral stairs cases and external fire exit.
How would they physically test these??? .scratch
'Train people well enough so they can leave, treat them well enough that they don't want to!' - Richard Branson
User avatar
witsd
Grand Shidoshi
Grand Shidoshi
Posts: 1086
Joined: Tue Nov 18, 2014 4:37 pm
9
Occupation: Fire safety officer
Location: Glasgow
Has thanked: 90 times
Been thanked: 264 times

Re: External steps and ladders

Post by witsd »

Some kind of vibration measurement as a set number of people use the staircase?

No idea otherwise - that's the best I can think of!
We often think that when we have completed our study of one we know all about two, because 'two' is 'one and one.' We forget that we still have to make a study of 'and.'
User avatar
ddlh
Grand Shidoshi
Grand Shidoshi
Posts: 1369
Joined: Sun Oct 19, 2008 4:03 pm
15
Location: Aberdeen
Has thanked: 20 times
Been thanked: 75 times

Re: External steps and ladders

Post by ddlh »

Hi Glen - The vertical ladders will need to be tested - NDT - or non destructive testing will tell you if the anchors are secure or the welds good.

The "Also just a little side question should internal steel stairs going ground to first floor also be inspected in some way?" should also be tested the same way.
I believe concrete stairs for people are examined for wear but am not aware of a load test for concrete steps - but would like to know if there e is one?

Dave
If you think safety is a pain, try a leg fracture.
Post Reply

 

Access Croner-i Navigate Safety-Lite here for free

HSfB Facebook Group Follow us on Twitter Find us on Facebook Find us on on LinkedIn

Terms of Use Privacy Policy